Space Mountain at WDW & DL and my DD

[NicholeB630]

So we went to DL over Christmas break for a day because we went to San Diego for a week. So we took a day trip to DL since I didn't know if we'd ever get the chance again (it was a huge mistake as crowds were insane, but thats off topic) anyways we got a FP for Space Mountain because DH wanted to ride it with DD who at the time was 4 (turned 1 week later) she is only 41'' right now. I guess I dont recall looking at the height restriction for space mountain in DL but she was able to ride no problem and said she never wanted to ride it again lol. She didn't cry but my husband thought she passed out on it because she literally went limp like and wasn't saying anything or moving. But she was fine. Anyways looking at WDW it says you have to be 44''. Is the ride different in the two places or did they just not even check her height? Highly doubt she will want to do it again. But thought it was odd.

 

[Cais]

Space mountain is 40 inches at Disneyland. The rides are different at each park.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[NicholeB630]

Ahhh ok makes sense then. She hated it though. She walked off and said "shew I am never riding that again" lol

 

[Mad Hattered]

Ahhh ok makes sense then. She hated it though. She walked off and said "shew I am never riding that again" lol

The DL version is much smoother and you sit side by side in the ride car (unlike WDW). She would HATE SM at WDW if she thought the DL version was bad.

 

[NicholeB630]

Good to know def wont be taking her on that then. She'd freak if she couldn't sit by one of us. Plus I dont know if she'll even be 44" by then. Poor DH wont get to ride anything fun for him lol. I dont know if she will like thunder mountain either. I am torn if we should take her on that or not.

 

[cigar95]

Space Mt at WDW is somewhat like the Matterhorn at DL. Did you do that one?

 

[BrianL]

SM at Magic Kingdom is basically like Matterhorn Bobsleds. It has two sides, and the cars seat you single file. It's a tad rougher and faster than Matterhorn. DL Space Mountain is smoother maybe a tad faster than the WDW one.

I actually like the WDW one better for atmophere and setup, but form a pure coaster standpoint, the DL one is the better ride.

 

[mom2rtk]

SM at Magic Kingdom is basically like Matterhorn Bobsleds. It has two sides, and the cars seat you single file. It's a tad rougher and faster than Matterhorn. DL Space Mountain is smoother maybe a tad faster than the WDW one.

I actually like the WDW one better for atmophere and setup, but form a pure coaster standpoint, the DL one is the better ride.

Have you been on Matterhorn since its last refurbishment? My opinion is that it's rougher than either SM.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Have you been on Matterhorn since its last refurbishment? My opinion is that it's rougher than either SM.

I completely agree with this! It didn't used to be that way, but after our trip out to DL in February we ended up only riding Matterhorn twice. It beat the living crap out of us!!!

 

[BrianL]

l've only been to DL once, a couple of years ago. I don't know if there had been a refurb or not. I remember it being pretty slow.

 

[NicholeB630]

We never did matterhorn

 

[nanacruiser]

I don't even do WDW Space M because its so jerky. I know they redid the whole thing track and all but its still jerky. Its also older then DL. I love DL Space M but hate the WDW but thats just me. ITs like riding a old wooden one to me but its tubular steel but never been on such a bumpy tubular steel ride. I also lost a phone on it. It had to be because I phoned just before going on and right after it was out of my pocket. I talked to the lost and found they did say that ride does get lots of lost items.

 

[sandgrace]

I love SM at DL it's just about my favorite ride there! The music, darkness, and speed is just so fun! I haven't been on SM at WDW for 10 years, but what I remember about it is that it was not close to as good as DL's it was a major letdown. Has SM at WDW been changed since 2004 does anyone know? I'm hoping for it to better for our trip in May than it was on our last trip.

 

[mom2rtk]

I love SM at DL it's just about my favorite ride there! The music, darkness, and speed is just so fun! I haven't been on SM at WDW for 10 years, but what I remember about it is that it was not close to as good as DL's it was a major letdown. Has SM at WDW been changed since 2004 does anyone know? I'm hoping for it to better for our trip in May than it was on our last trip.

There was a major (year long maybe????) refurbishment in 2009. It seemed much rougher since then.

 

[elaw]

I love SM at DL it's just about my favorite ride there! The music, darkness, and speed is just so fun! I haven't been on SM at WDW for 10 years, but what I remember about it is that it was not close to as good as DL's it was a major letdown. Has SM at WDW been changed since 2004 does anyone know? I'm hoping for it to better for our trip in May than it was on our last trip.

I believe it was refurbed 2009 but its still not smooth like DL's SM

 

[Mad Hattered]

There was a major (year long maybe????) refurbishment in 2009. It seemed much rougher since then.

Yeah....most of that refurb was used to install the interactive que that just slows down the line.

 

[sandgrace]

There was a major (year long maybe????) refurbishment in 2009. It seemed much rougher since then.

That doesn't sound good...did they do any major improvements in 2009 like change the cars or the music?

 

[elaw]

That doesn't sound good...did they do any major improvements in 2009 like change the cars or the music?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Mountain_(Magic_Kingdom)

"In the 2009 refurbishment, the trains received new seat fabric and were repainted "

In August 2010, the ride received "Starry-O-Phonic Sound" effects. These new sound effects play throughout the dome, to further enhance the ride experience.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

That doesn't sound good...did they do any major improvements in 2009 like change the cars or the music?

Yes. They put a ceiling over the loading zone and got rid of the glow-in-the-dark stripes on the sides of the rockets to make the inside of the mountain much darker during the ride (almost as dark as Disneyland's version.) The "Starry-O-Phonic" music and sound effects added along the track are actually pretty neat (you'll keep hearing the helix spinning noise in your head for hours!)

Last fall, they also installed trim brakes along the track to try and make the ride less bumpy. Apparently, the 2009 refurb made the course bumpier than before.